MLB

Aaron Judge expected to return to Yankees’ lineup Wednesday

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Published March 18, 2024, 6:48 p.m. ET

TAMPA — Aaron Boone said Saturday he was done predicting when Aaron Judge might get back into a game.

That lasted just about 48 hours.

Boone’s latest prediction came Monday when he said he hoped to have Judge back in the lineup on Wednesday when the Yankees face the Pirates following Tuesday’s day off.

It would mark Judge’s first game since March 10, when he only took two at-bats and then underwent an MRI on his abdomen the next day that he and the team said came back clean.

“I think we’re a go on Wednesday,” Boone said after the Yankees’ 4-3 win over the Phillies at Steinbrenner Field. “But I’ve obviously failed on this part the last week. So yes, that is the plan, playing Wednesday against the Buccos.”

Aaron Judge is predicted to be back in the Yankees' lineup on Wednesday against the Pirates.
Aaron Judge is predicted to be back in the Yankees’ lineup on Wednesday against the Pirates. AP

Since he last played a game, Judge’s status has been largely shrouded in mystery.

He has not hit on the field since then, but the Yankees said he resumed swinging on Friday indoors with tee and toss. Boone said Judge faced a high-velocity machine on Sunday and then hit breaking balls on Monday after heading inside following defensive drills on the field.

Boone indicated Judge “should” play in four of the Yankees’ final six Grapefruit League games, giving him enough at-bats to be ready for Opening Day on March 28.

The Yankees have maintained that belief over the past week, despite continuing to push back Judge’s return to game action.

“Cautious,” Boone said. “Don’t want this to turn into something real, which I think is smart. … I think he’ll be good.”

Ian Hamilton threw just one-third of an inning Monday in his first relief appearance in a week, but Boone said he was fine physically.

Hamilton is expected to pitch again on Wednesday and the Yankees wanted to get Jonathan Loaisiga and Cody Poteet into the game after Carlos Rodon went 5 ²/₃ innings.

The Yankees will be facing Trevor Bauer when they play in Mexico City on Sunday.

Bauer, who remains unsigned after serving a 194-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy and then pitching last season in Japan, tweeted on Monday that he would be pitching for Diablos Rojos during their two-game series against the Yankees next week.